'I got to see extreme ends of the spectrum'

In less than three months, Arul Suppiah has seen the best and the worst of bowling in T20s.

On July 5, Suppiah's part-time left-arm spin brought him world record T20 figures of six for five runs while playing for Somerset against Glamorgan, on a turning pitch in Cardiff. Last Sunday, when Somerset took on Kolkata Knight Riders in the main draw of the Champions League T20 in Hyderabad, Suppiah went for 30 off one over. "I got to see the other end of spectrum, but I will learn from that," he told HT. "Definitely a dangerous batsman," he said of Yusuf Pathan, who hit him for four sixes.

From the car parks of Kuala Lumpur to the Somerset team via Millfield School and Exeter University in the UK, Suppiah's life has been quite a journey. "We would play in a car park, in the evening, as soon as the cars disappeared."

There was also a little driveway at home where he would play with his elder brother Rohan. "We would break loads of windows and mum would get upset," Suppiah said. Both brothers went on to play for Malaysia.

As a 12-year-old, Suppiah caught the eye of Sir Richard Hadlee during a cricket clinic in Kuala Lumpur. Suppiah was sent to the UK to further his studies and his game.

Although he holds a degree in accounting and finance, he has played as a pro for Somerset for nine years, mainly as a batsman.